Much is being written about lean manufacturing and its benefits. A lean manufacturing process is one where everything flows smoothly; no processes are idle nor are any overwhelmed-there is little or no inventory; machines are not overloaded while others are empty; and the flow of materials is logical without steps being retraced. Lean manufacturing benefits all aspects of a company's business, extending even to its marketing and customer service. But how does dimensional metrology and quality control fit into a lean process? Consider what makes a measurement system best support lean manufacturing.